Volunteer or donate

In addition to supporting Veterans in your area, you'll enjoy the following benefits as a VA volunteer: 

• Free Canteen meals during shifts of 4 or more hours
• Free parking 
• Education opportunities, such as CPR training
• Free annual tuberculosis test
• Free annual flu shot
• Job skills development
• Job search opportunities

Whatever your interests, Wilkes-Barre health care has volunteer opportunities for you. 

Below are some ways you can help. Other assignments not listed here might be available as well. If you’re interested in volunteering or have special skills to offer, please contact us so we can discuss how you can best help our patients. We also have special short-term projects that we need help with from time to time. All volunteers must complete a background check. 

While some volunteer opportunities require specific times, most are flexible to fit your schedule. 

 

Current available volunteer opportunities at the Wilkes-Barre VA Healthcare System

Caregiver support volunteer: Volunteers are assigned as a Peer Mentor to a caregiver as part of the VA National Caregiver Peer Support Mentoring Program. Through this relationship, Peer Mentors provide advice, support, and guidance to their Mentee, mostly via telephone-mail and informally. Guidance is provided by the Wilkes-Barre Caregiver Support Coordinator.

Compassionate Contact Corps: Volunteers provide Veterans with conversation and companionship via phone visits or video chat. Visits often involve sharing life stories and topics of mutual interest with a compassionate, friendly voice in a safe non-judgmental process.

DAV volunteer driver: Volunteer drivers provide transportation to Veterans in need of medical care at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center or CBOC sites. Positions available in the following areas: Allentown, Clarks Summit, Carbon County (Jim Thorpe), Hazleton, Honesdale, Northampton County, Shamokin, Scranton, Stroudsburg/East Stroudsburg, Tamaqua, Tobyhanna, Williamsport, and Wilkes-Barre.

Kiosk assistant: Volunteers assist Veterans using the KIOSKS throughout the medical center while offering gentle reminders to maintain social distancing and hand hygiene. This position is available at WBVAMC and AOPC.

MOVE! Buddy: Veterans who have successfully completed the MOVE! program may volunteer to become a MOVE! Buddy. Volunteers offer 1:1 support to current enrollees and assist Veterans in creating their plans of change along with the MOVE! Coordinator.

Food service volunteer: Assists Nutrition and Food Service with food preparation, receiving items, proper storage and sanitation, and interviewing Veterans for meal selections.

Program support volunteer: Volunteers assist with retrieving and delivery of mail to multiple services and sorting mail for multiple medical providers and VA employees.

Red Coat Ambassadors: These volunteers can be found at the Information Desk inside the main entrance of the VA Medical Center. Their red coats or vests make them easy to spot and these volunteers provide assistance with navigation, information and other various capacities of customer service.

Shuttle driver: Provide transportation assistance from the parking lots to the medical center to Veterans and visitors who may have mobility limitations.

Travel claims assistant: Volunteers will assist Veterans enrolling into the online travel system for travel reimbursement. Must have basic knowledge of web-based applications.

ALLENTOWN, SAYRE & WILLIAMSPORT clinic volunteer: Volunteers greet Veterans and visitors when entering the building, assist Veterans with VETEXT, offer directional assistance, complete reminder calls, and other various components to provide great Patient Experience.

If you’re a student who’s 14 to 18 years old, volunteer for us this summer. You can learn more about health careers, sharpen your job skills, meet fantastic people—and have fun.

Volunteer to make a difference

As a youth volunteer, you’ll help in many ways:

• Serve coffee
• Direct and escort patients within VA facilities 
• Help in clinics
• Help with recreation programs

Perks

You’ll qualify for these great benefits:

• Summer youth certificate for 80 hours (or more) of service
• Free VA summer youth volunteer polo shirt
• Free lunch for 4 or more hours of service
• Free parking
• Invitation to join special programs throughout the summer

How to join us 

If you're a student who wants to participate in our summer youth program, or you know students who might be interested, contact our Voluntary Services office. 

Phone: 877-928-2621, ext. 7237 or 570-821-7237

Make a difference in the lives of our Veterans through floor visits or sponsoring special programs at our community living center. Here’s your chance to join in the fun, friendships, and laughter by sponsoring one of our programs. 

• Bingo: Provide volunteers to run bingo games. Please bring prizes purchased from our Canteen.
• Catered lunch: Provide and serve a catered lunch from a local restaurant for a patient unit.
• Community activity: Connect Veterans with the community by buying gift cards or donating admission fees to movies, musicals, bowling, and sports games.
• Craft or hobby: Lead craft projects such as painting and woodworking. Your group will bring the supplies and lead Veterans in the project.
• Fourth of July cookout: Help our Veterans celebrate Independence Day. Your group will provide, cook, and serve a meal.
• Social: Provide decorations and refreshments for group social events such as birthday parties, ice cream socials, holiday celebrations, and Veterans Day activities.

Extra help needed 

We always need people to drive patients to their appointments at our medical center and clinics. To fill this important role, you must have a current driver’s license and car insurance, receive mandatory training, and pass a physical exam. 

Donating is just a click away now that VA medical centers accept donations online. You just need a major credit card, debit card, checking account, or savings account. 
Make an online donation

If you'd like to donate to Wilkes-Barre health care, please send a check (payable to "VA Wilkes-Barre Healthcare System") to the following address:

Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center
Voluntary Service Office (01/10)
1111 East End Boulevard 
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

Some people prefer to give money, while others prefer to donate items needed by our Veterans. We appreciate all forms of generosity.

Note: We don’t accept donations of VHS tapes, used clothing, bar soap, wheelchair bags, bootleg DVDs, hotel toiletries, medical equipment or supplies, bibs, lap robes, lap quilts, small blankets, or mouthwash.

We appreciate the following items: 

Personal care

• Body-care products: lotion, liquid soap, deodorant, and shaving cream or gel
• Dental supplies: toothbrushes, toothpaste, toothbrush holders, and denture adhesive
• Disposable brand-name twin razors
• Earplugs
• Hairbrushes and combs
• Reading glasses
• Thermometers
• Tissues

Clothing (new only)

• Gloves 
• Hats (winter hats and baseball caps)
• Hooded sweatshirts 
• Jeans and pants 
• Long-sleeve shirts 
• Shower shoes, flip-flops
• Sneakers and shoes 
• Socks
• Suspenders and belts
• Sweatpants 
• Sweatshirts
• T-shirts 
• Underwear, all men’s and women’s sizes 
• Winter coats 

Assorted items

• Books
• Chess and checkers sets
• Disposable cups, napkins, plates, forks, and spoons
• Fleece blankets (twin size)
• Gift cards for gas and groceries ($10 to $25 each card)
• Magazines, 6 months or newer
• Markers for art projects
• Personal-size bedside fan (not floor models)
• Puzzle books, unused
• Reading glasses (1.25 and higher) and eyeglass repair kits
• Wheelchair cup holders

VA supportive housing needs

• All-purpose cleaner

• Baking sheets

• Bath towel sets

• Bedbug mattress covers (queen)

• Blankets (twin or queen)

• Brooms with dustpans

• Buckets

• Clocks

• Clock radios

• Countertop microwaves

• Crock-Pots

• Dish or laundry soap

• Dishes and silverware sets for 4 people

• First-aid kits (small)

• Flashlights

• Frying pans

• Kitchen utensil sets

• Lysol spray

• Mattresses

• Measuring cups, spatulas, and mixing bowls

• Paper towel

• Pillows

• Potholders

• Pots with lids

• Sheet sets (twin or queen)

• Small or medium coffee makers (no Keurig)

• Swiffer cleaning products

• Toilet brushes

• Toilet paper

• Vacuum cleaners

Simply choose a fund below, write the General Post Fund (GPF) number in the memo section on your check, and we’ll do the rest. If you don’t designate a special fund, your money will go to our General Use fund (8080). Thank you for supporting our Veterans.

WILKES-BARRE VA MEDICAL CENTER 

Center for Development & Civic Engagement

Donated Funds Descriptions

 

Allentown Outpatient Clinic (Fund #8010) Funds are used to support programs and activities for Veteran patients at the Allentown Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

Arts & Humanities (Fund #8529) Funds are used to support programs for inpatient and outpatient Veterans participating in integrative health programs such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Meditation, etc. These funds may be used to purchase supplies and/or pay vendors to keep these programs running smoothly.

Behavioral Health (Fund #8070) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Behavioral Health Program which includes the Intensive Community Mental Health and Recovery (ICMHR) program, inpatient psychiatry and other programs that assist in mental health recovery.

Canteen Books (Fund #8040) Funds are used to purchase canteen books from Veterans Canteen Service (VCS). Canteen books are commonly used as prizes during recreation programs and distributions. Veterans can use the books to purchase food and/or items from the on-site canteen.

Caregivers’ SUPPORT (Fund #8532) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Caregiver’s Support Program. Family caregivers provide critical support in caring for our nation’s Veterans by allowing them to stay in their homes and communities.  Items to support self-care (i.e. journals, art supplies), food/beverages for caregiver events/resource fairs, decorations, recreation/leisure items are commonly purchased.

Chaplain (Fund #8330) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Chaplain Program.

CLC (Fund #8110) Funds are used to support programs/needs of Veterans residing in the Community Living Center. Items commonly purchased include decorations for holidays/events, items for special celebrations, and supplies to make the neighborhoods more homelike and welcoming.

Equine Therapy (Fund #8534) Funds are used to support the Equine Therapy Program. This program incorporates horses into the therapeutic process and Veterans engage in activities such as grooming, feeding, and leading a horse while being supervised by a mental health professional. Goals of this program include helping Veterans develop skills such as emotional regulation, self-confidence, and responsibility.

HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM (Fund #8535) Funds are used to support activities such the MOVE! Weight Management Program, Healthy Teaching Kitchen and other programs where a healthy lifestyle is promoted.

Homeless Veterans (Fund #8460) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Homeless Program. Comfort items include hygiene products, clothing, household goods, and food items. The funds are also used for the annual Homeless Program Summer Picnic and Holiday Parties.

Hospice/Palliative Care (Fund #8090) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Program. Comfort items such as hygiene products, clothing, blankets, snacks for both the Veteran and their family are commonly purchased. Funds are also used to stock the hospice kitchen with snacks, water, coffee, non-perishable food items that can be accessed by Veterans, and their family at any time. Meals for family members who are unable to leave the hospital are also provided through this account.

LBGTQ+ PROGRAM (Fund #8530) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the LGBTQ+ Program.

National Rehab Events (Fund #8220) Funds are used to support Veterans participating in National Events (i.e.: National Wheelchair Games, Golden Age Games, National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, DAV Winter Sports Clinic, etc.) by paying for the lodging/airfare and meal expenses. If a Veteran requires a caregiver to attend these events, money in this fund will be used to pay for lodging, airfare, and meals for the caregiver as well.

NORTHAMPTON CBOC (FUND #8190) Funds are used to support programs and activities for Veteran patients at the Northampton Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

Outings (Fund #8132) Funds are used to support inpatient Veterans attending off station community outings (i.e.: baseball games, bowling, movies, fairs, and restaurants, museums, concerts, plays, etc.) Staff and volunteers attend community outings to meet the needs of Veterans, therefore money in this account may be used to purchase tickets for staff/volunteers in attendance if required. Also, when an outing to a restaurant or food related program requires volunteer assistance, the volunteer’s meal can be paid through this account. VA employees are not authorized to receive food items paid through this account.

OT Wellness (Fund #8431) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the OT Wellness Program.

Recreation Therapy (Fund #8130) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Recreation Therapy Program.

SAYRE CBOC (FUND #8160) Funds are used to support programs and activities for Veteran patients at the Sayre Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

Scranton Vet Center (Fund #8140) Funds are used to support programs and activities for Veteran patients at the Scranton Vet Center.

Substance TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS (STAR/SARRTP) (Fund #8131) Funds are used to purchased items to support Veteran patients receiving care in the STAR program – this includes intensive outpatient (ISTAR), general outpatients (OSTAR) and residential (SARRTP) programs.  Items such as personal hygiene products, technology resources (i.e.: laptops, iPads, tablets, etc.), food/decorations for holidays/celebrations and recreation/leisure materials are commonly purchased.

VAVS Committee (Fund #8461) Funds are used to support the volunteer recognition activities and items throughout the year. Also, funds in this account may be used to supplement new, or ongoing programs, as requested from VA Services/Programs when presented to the committee during their quarterly meetings.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT Program (Fund #8528) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Visual Impairment Program. The Visual Impairment Program provides training, equipment and support for Veterans who are blind or visually impaired.

Post 9/11 Military 2 VA (FUND #8191) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Post 9/11 Military 2 VA Program.  These funds are used for enrollment fairs, programming activities and to support any needs of returning Veterans and Post 9/11 Veterans and their families.

Williamsport Vet Center (Fund #8513) Funds are used to support programs and activities for Veteran patients at the Williamsport Vet Center.

Women Veterans (Fund #8519) Funds are used to support the needs and activities of the Women Veterans Program.